Joyce A. Smith, of Ontario, NY, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior, on November 15, 2024. She was 81. Joyce was born on July 22, 1943, in Colorado Springs, CO.
Joyce graduated from Wayne Central High School and attended college at Fredonia, NY. She worked at Eastman Kodak Company and as a part-time office clerk for the Town of Ontario. Her main and most worthwhile profession, was a stay-at-home mom for her children.
Joyce will be remembered as an amazing wife, loving mother and dedicated friend. She cherished time with her family and friends. She always had a beautiful smile, a caring ear, and a kind heart.
She was active in the Girl Scouts of America. She loved gardening, cake decorating, shopping with family and friends, and spending time with her husband vacationing in Maine, Cape Cod, Colorado, or wherever their travels took them.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Marjorie and Oliver Davis. She is survived by her husband, Donald, of 60 years.
Donald “Don” H. Smith, of Ontario, NY, joined his wife of 60 years, Joyce in Heaven on November 30, 2024. He was 83. Don was born on October 11, 1941, in Olean, NY.
Don graduated from Bolivar High School and attended college in Brockport and Fredonia and obtained a teaching degree. He retired from teaching middle school math and science in the Rush-Henrietta Central School District.
Don will be remembered as an amazing husband, loving father, and dedicated friend. He was always ready and willing to help family and friends in any capacity possible. Don enjoyed talking with friends about recent news and events, over a cup of coffee.
Don was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and walk in the hills of Allegheny County, where he grew up, as well as fish in just about any body of water from Colorado to Maine.
Don was active in the Boy Scouts of America and served as a Scout Master for Ontario Troop 126. In his later and recent years, Don was very active and well respected with the New York State Shooters Committee on Political Education (SCOPE). He was always a staunch supporter of the 2nd amendment and an individual’s right to keep and bear arms.
Don was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, parents, Harold and Dorothy Smith, brother Richard Smith, and his sister Carolyn Smith.
Joyce and Don are both survived by their children Steve (Shirley) Smith and Sue (Todd) Couture; their grandchildren Stephen Borlas, Matthew Brown, Kaitlyn Couture, and Sophia Smith; Joyce’s brothers Barry Davis, and Donald (Jean) Davis, along with many nieces and nephews.
Both Joyce and Don were blessed with many special and close friends. They will be deeply missed by all that knew them. The family would like to say “Thank You” for all the support given to them.
A joint Celebration of Life service will occur at a later date.
Sue and Family
Our heartfelt and deepest condolences to you and your family. We can not imagine the passing of 2 parents so close together. Praying for God wrap His Arms a little tighter around you all and give some EXTRA Love and Comfort to your family during this time. Love and Hugs from Mark and Sylvia Ryndock 🩷🙏🏾🩷
Sue I’m deeply sorry for the loss , please pass my condolences on to Todd and Katelyn. Will be praying
Dear Smith Family,
We are so deeply saddened by the loss of Don and Joyce!!
Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayer!
May God give you strength during this difficult time!
May their memories be eternal.
Dear Sue, Todd and Kaitlyn, Michael and I are so sorry for your loss. We’re praying for you all during this very difficult time. 🙏🏻😢❤️
Dear Smith Family,
Sending my deepest condolences and sympathy to all of the families. May the memory of Don and Joyce be eternal. God bless the family at this difficult time.
Love,
Niki
My heart and prayers go out to Stephen and Sue and their families. Losing my best friend after so many years beaks my heart. Joyce was the person who got me into Girl Scouts at Wayne Central. We exchanged Christmas and birthday gifts for many years.. Joyce was always available whenever I needed advice or encouragement. Don was a friend, too, who liked to talk about fishing and hunting. As a couple, they were wonderful.
There is so much that I could say about having Joyce as a friend, but it would be a book. I loved Joyce like a sister. She will be missed and I’ll have an empty spot in my heart. Her presence is in my home here in Hamilton, NY, when I see the plaque, a Knick-knack or a picture.
So sorry for the Smith family at the loss of Joyce and Don. Rest in peace.